Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - Public Awareness Anti-Racism Campaign.

Ms Fitzgerald

Today's headline in The Irish Times says “Government fails to act over virulent racism”. The Government and particularly the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform stands condemned for its failure to launch a long promised anti-racism public awareness campaign.

I remind the House that in February 2000 the Government announced its intention to undertake a public awareness programme to address racism in Ireland. It asked the national consultative commission on racism and inter-culturalism to undertake an evaluation plan of how to implement such a public awareness campaign. That was completed almost a year ago, following extensive consultation.

Why has this issue gone off the Government's agenda while racially motivated attacks continue, particularly in the Dublin area but also throughout the country? What is happening? When will this public awareness campaign be launched? It is May and the programme has not been launched although the Government promised to launch it more than 15 months ago. What has been happening and what is the reason for the delay? When I raised this matter last October the House was told that £4.5 million had been set aside for this campaign which was to begin before Christmas. Why has nothing happened since then?

Amnesty International said today that many NGOs are openly questioning the Government commitment to tackling racism because of the delay in implementing this important programme. Government leadership and a strong campaign are critical elements in tackling this issue.

Such a campaign was never more needed, given the rising number of racist incidents on the streets of Dublin and elsewhere. There are disturbing reports in today's papers of racially motivated attacks, racial insults to adults and children and racist graffiti. Racism is an attack on human rights and a campaign is crucial to deal with that.

A public awareness campaign on its own is not enough. We need strong law behind it. Equally important is the need to review the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act because we have seen that this is ineffective. Lawyers have said the burden of proof needed under this Act is so high that prosecutions are not likely to be taken under it.

We do not officially record the number of racist incidents and we should. We have a legal obligation to do this under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. I ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to look at this aspect of crime reporting to see whether action should be taken so that the scale of the problem can be properly understood, recorded and monitored and effective action taken.

I call for immediate action and strong leadership by the Government and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to tackle this problem. We have strong equal status legislation. This is a help but more is needed. Launching an effective public awareness programme, reviewing the incitement to hatred legislation and resourcing community groups working on racism will send out a strong signal at home, and to the international community, that Ireland is prepared to tackle racism and promote a more inclusive and multi-cultural society.

Dr. Moffatt

I thank Deputy Fitzgerald for having raised this issue on the Adjournment. Last October the Government agreed to a proposal from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, to implement a national anti-racism public awareness programme with the overall aim of contributing to creating the conditions for building a more inclusive and intercultural society where racism is effectively addressed and cultural diversity is valued. The Government allocated a core budget of £1.5 million per annum to the programme over a three year period beginning on 1 January 2001.

In February, the Minister announced the establishment of a high level steering group to implement the programme in partnership with the equality division of his Department. The equality division will have overall responsibility for co-ordinating the programme and its budget. The steering group has an independent chairperson and 19 members. Its membership is broad based and includes representatives of ethnic minority communities, the four social partners, national bodies such as the Equality Authority, the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, and relevant Departments. The group is chaired by Mr. Joe McDonagh of Galway, a former president of the GAA. The secretariat for the group is provided by the equality division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The primary objectives of the awareness programme are to act as a catalyst to stimulate public awareness of racism and to contribute to a commitment to addressing racism in Ireland; to affirm cultural diversity as a value in our society and to encourage practical ways of taking it into account; to help create the conditions that make it more difficult for racism to exist and to contribute to a range of policies that promote an inclusive approach to minority ethnic groups including refugees and asylum seekers.

The awareness programme will be based on an outline framework that was developed by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism. Initiatives will be taken in the areas of community and local development, media and communications, the role of statutory authorities and public education, and will aim to produce long-term sustainable outcomes.

The steering group had its first meeting on 2 April. I should mention that an earlier meeting had to be cancelled due to the foot and mouth disease crisis. At its first meeting, the steering group discussed and agreed its terms of reference and procedural issues. It also reached consensus on the aim and objectives of the awareness programme.

The first task the steering group undertook was to arrange for a baseline survey of attitudes and opinions on minority ethnic groups, racism and interculturalism among the general public and key audiences. The survey, which will be nationwide, will be a crucial cornerstone of the programme. The results of the survey will help to determine the focus and direction of the campaign and will serve as a benchmark for the programme. Further surveys will be arranged during and at the end of the programme to assist in monitoring changes in attitudes and opinions.

The steering group is aware of the need to support community based initiatives. It intends to involve community groups, area based partnerships and organisations of minority ethnic groups in the awareness programme. With this in mind, plans are under way to launch a small grants fund to support and facilitate such groups and organisations. This is an aspect of the programme that the group can proceed with in the short-term in advance of a formal launch of the programme.

Preparations are in train for a formal launch of the programme. The launch and media campaign, if they are to be a success, must be well planned and properly co-ordinated. The NCCRI report, which is being used as an outline framework for the programme, recommended a three month pre-launch phase.

There are a number of procedures to be followed in planning a launch in conjunction with an advertising campaign. Rules regarding tendering have to be followed. This may include the placing of an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Communities and the need to allow for the official response period of 56 days.

There are also key tasks to be carried out as part of the planning and development of the launch, including conducting a survey of attitudes and opinions, and analysing its results; developing links with key organisations working in the area of racism; integrating existing initiatives into the programme; developing a distinct identity and image for the programme; the preparation of media and information packs and seeking the support of key media organisations.

Part of the task of the steering group will be to monitor all elements of the programme and to measure its impact and success. The group will provide an annual progress report to Government and will also publish an annual report. We all appreciate the need for an anti-racism awareness programme. However, the temptation to rush into short-term actions has to be resisted.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.25 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 15 May 2001.